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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, AND WELF AG! 4 1963

 

PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE . BETHESDA 14, MD.

 

NATIONAL 7 se4n00 HEALTH Novemb a 12 ; 19 63
In reply refer
to AI 05130-06

GEN SS oo. al,
| 4
Ki oe
Dr. Joshua Lederberg
Professor of Genetics
Stanford University
300 Pasteur Drive

Palo Alto, California
Dear Doctor Lederberg:

Your exchange of correspondence on use of funds in grant AT 05130-06
GEN for foreign travel has come to my attention. You are entitled
to a clearer statement of our present position and an opportunity
to “share” with us some of the problems that have developed.

As you know, the NIH is composed of a number of somewhat autonomous
units that can and do make administrative decisions on grants within
their jurisdiction. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious
Diseases position on a number of issues regarding use of grant funds
is strongly influenced by the clear prospect that it will not be

able to support a sizeable number of approved new projects this

year because of a $3 - $4 million deficit. Although the National
Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases is more seriously affected
this year than other Institutes, it appears likely that within a

year or two all Institutes will have the same problem. In considering
grantee activities that might logically be curtailed with least
probable effect upon research progress, it seems apparent to nearly
everyone that foreign travel to meetings is the one activity that
would especially qualify.

In addition to the NIAID position, however, the question has been
posed at NIH administrative levels whether foreign travel to meetings
should be supported with restrictions and, if so, by what mechanism(s).
A series of meetings to attempt to resolve this question have been
held without success to date.

National Cancer Institute National Heart Institute National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases National Institute of Arthritis and Metabolic Diseases
National Institute of Dental Research National Institute of Mental Health National Institute of Neurological Diseases and Blindness The Clinical Center
Division of Biologics Standards Division of General Medical Sciences _ Division of Research Facilities and Resources Division of Research Grants _ Division of Research Services
Dr. Joshua Lederberg
November 12, 1963
Page 2

In the meantime the NIAID has taken the position that it will handle
exigent requests on a day to day basis awaiting outcome of the
policy review.

I feel I should make it clear that if NIH policy remains permissive,
the NIAID reserves the prerogative to continue to restrict foreign
travel to favor those who present effective cases and are supported
in part on institutional or personal funds.

We would be interested in any comments you may have.

Sincerely yours,

£0 Wachiw

R. C. Backus, Ph.D.

Chief, Extramural Programs

National Institute of Allergy
and Infectious Diseases